What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A may be a viral liver disease which will cause delicate to severe health problem. The hepatitis a virus (HAV) is transmitted through consumption of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is present in the faeces of infected persons and is most often transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food. Certain sex practices can also spread HAV.

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. The virus is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and affect your liver’s ability to function.

You’re most likely to contract hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or from close contact with someone who’s infected. Mild cases of hepatitis A don’t require treatment, and most people who are infected recover completely with no permanent liver damage.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

If you have this infection, you have inflammation in your liver that’s caused by a virus. You don’t always get symptoms, but when you do, you might have:

Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin, dark urine)

Pain in your belly

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Fever

Diarrhea

Fatigue

Children often have the disease with few symptoms.

You can spread the hepatitis A virus about 2 weeks before your symptoms appear and during the first week they show up, or even if you don’t have any.

How could I get hepatitis A?

You could get hepatitis A through contact with an infected person’s stool. This contact could occur by

eating food made by an infected person who didn’t wash his or her hands after using the bathroom

drinking untreated water or eating food washed in untreated water

placing a finger or object in your mouth that came into contact with an infected person’s stool

having close personal contact with an infected person, such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill

You cannot get hepatitis A from

being coughed or sneezed on by an infected person

sitting next to an infected person

hugging an infected person

A baby cannot get hepatitis A from breast milk.

Vaccination against hepatitis A

Vaccination against hepatitis A isn’t routinely offered in the UK because the risk of infection is low for most people.
It’s only recommended for people at an increased risk, including:

close contacts of someone with hepatitis A

people planning to travel to or live in parts of the world where hepatitis A is widespread, particularly if levels of sanitation and food hygiene are expected to be poor

people with any type of long-term (chronic) liver disease

men who have sex with other men

people who inject illegal drugs

people who may be exposed to hepatitis A through their job – this includes sewage workers, staff of institutions where levels of personal hygiene may be poor (such as a homeless shelter) and people working with monkeys, apes and gorillas

The hepatitis A vaccine is usually available for free on the NHS for anyone who needs it.

Treatments for hepatitis A

No specific treatment exists for hepatitis A. Your body will clear the hepatitis A virus on its own. In most cases of hepatitis A, the liver heals within six months with no lasting damage.

Hepatitis A treatment usually focuses on coping with your signs and symptoms. You may need to:

Rest. Many people with hepatitis A infection feel tired and sick and have less energy.

Cope with nausea. Nausea can make it difficult to eat. Try snacking throughout the day rather than eating full meals. To get enough calories, eat more high-calorie foods. For instance, drink fruit juice or milk rather than water.